MINISTERS GUILTY

 

Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, April 6, 1899.

MINISTERS GUILTY.

VERDICT OF THE JURY IN THE MOCK TRIAL.

Recommendation of Mercy—Sentenced to Assemble at the Jail and Listen to One of Their Own Sermons Delivered by the Sheriff—The Final Proceedings.

   The mock trial of The People of the state of New York vs. O. A. Houghton, John T. Stone, W. H. Pound, Amos Watkins and U. S. Milburn, five ministers of Cortland, was concluded at the Opera House at about 11 o'clock last night, when the jury brought in a verdict of guilty and the court imposed upon them the sentence. The trial as a whole was a great success. It is impossible yet to give the exact figures as to the financial part, but the net profit will be near $300. The audiences were large upon both nights and all were well pleased.

   Court reconvened shortly after 7:30 o'clock last night and the evidence for the prosecution was continued at once. The first witness was Dr. P. T. Carpenter, who testified that he was the assistant secretary of the Y. M. C. A.; that the Cortland Ministerial association held its regular meetings at the Y. M. C. A. parlors and that after one of its meetings he had found a barrel there that had not been taken away that contained a quantity of sermons that they had brought there to trade with each other, together with other valuable papers. The barrel and its contents was produced and introduced in evidence.

   Endorsements on the sermons were read showing how the sermons had been preached again and again by different ones of the defendants in turn and various memoranda were read stating time, place, and preacher and how soon that particular sermon could be used again.

   A letter found in the barrel was read from the New York Sermon Exchange containing an offer of an extra lot of good sermons that had been preached in New York which they would furnish to the rural districts at a low figure. A letter from the same party to Wm. H. Pound, treasurer of the Ministerial association, was also read threatening legal proceedings if the bill of $41.20 for the last barrel of sermons was not paid at once.

   Letters to and from Hon. D. W. Van Hoesen, member of assembly, were found in the barrel and were read. They had reference to an offer of $1,000 from the ministers to him if he would vote for the eight-hour bill when it was passed. Mr. Van Hoesen's letters were to the effect that he thought he should have $2,000 for his vote. Mr. Van Hoesen protested vigorously against the introduction of these letters as evidence and against their being read, but the court overruled his objections. This barrel and its contents created more merriment than any thing else throughout the whole trial.

   The district attorney made a vain effort to call to the witness stand James Dougherty, but the witness could not be found, and the sheriff was sent for him. The prosecution then rested its case.

   Mr. Kellogg made a motion for a non-suit, which was denied, and Mr. Van Hoesen opened for the defence [sic].

   The first witness was E. E. Ellis who was put on the stand to impeach the testimony of Otis C. Smith given the previous evening, and he made out a pretty bad showing for Otis, if he could himself be believed.

   F. B. Nourse told of a little watch deal that he knew of Mr. Smith having a hand in, by which he successfully did up a Jew pawn broker in Syracuse on a watch trade. He thought Mr. Smith's word and character were not to be relied upon.

   Prof. Wm. M. Booth was called as an expert witness to show that the analysis of Mr. Faville's tears as made by Mr. Wesson the previous evening was all wrong and that there was nothing but water in them.

   Miss Carrie Monell Curry testified that she was often called upon to recite in church work, but that it never hurt her or produced any such effect upon her as Mr. Faville's singing seemed to have upon him. She was asked to give a sample of her recitations and recited James Whitcomb Riley's "His Dancing Days," in a way that elicited from the audience a strong expression of their warm approval.

   Joseph G. Jarvis testified that he was a member of the Presbyterian church choir and that he was never affected by his singing as Mr. Faville had been, and gave a sample of his singing, which was very good, but when on cross-examination he was asked to sing further he went all to pieces, and really became a good witness for the prosecution.

   Bridget O'Flanigan (E. H. Richards) was excellent in makeup and testimony. She testified that she was a janitress in Mr. Pound's church and told of articles found in different pews in the church at cleaning up: Playing cards in F. J. Doubleday's seat, a bottle of hair restorer in S. N. Holden's seat and cigarettes in B. T. Wright's seat.

   The Widow Bedott (Mrs. Mark Brownell), solicitor for sociables for Grace church, told her experience at dances with Otis Smith and gave evidence that his lameness was not due to over work in church, but to other causes. Incidentally, under cross-questioning of the district attorney, she related some alleged history concerning the senior counsel for the defendants which proved highly amusing to the audience.

   Dinah Washington (N. H. Waters), a colored individual, came with her baby. The latter she deposited in the lap of the judge while she testified. Dinah's business was to clean up the First M. E. church, which she characterized as Dr. Cheney's political headquarters. She used to work at the Presbyterian church, but left that place because she could not endure finding so much chewing gum stuck around in various places of concealment. The most of it was on and near the keyboard of the organ. She was never overworked at either place.

   Nancy Hutchings (Miss Harriet Allen) was a star witness from South Cortland, which she declared was her home. She was accustomed to sweep and dust the Grace Episcopal church. Her counsel asked her how long she had done this and she replied the whole length of the church. She testified that no one in that church worked over eight hours a day except the rector and he often exceeded that time preaching. Under cross examination Mr. Duffey asked the witness how far it was from Cortland to her home and she told him he ought to know. (It is understood that he measured the distance last night after the trial.) The witness when examined further testified that she had found a mirror under the cushion in Mr. Goodwin's seat that he was accustomed to look into during services to see if his hair was parted in the middle, a dime novel in G. J. Mager's seat, a baseball score card in Mrs. C. H. V. Elliott's seat and a book with the letters L. A. W. on it in Dr. E. M. Santee's seat from which he probably studied law.

   Rev. John T. Stone, one of the defendants, was put on the stand. He testified that his theme was theology, not law; that he didn't know of the existence of an eight-hour law; that he had no idea that he was innocent; that Kellogg & Van Hoesen had already got all of his money and he wouldn't be surprised if they had all of Dr. Houghton's too. At any rate he loaned the doctor a five dollar bill that morning.

   Dr. F. W. Higgins was the last witness. He testified that he was formerly a physician, but had given up his practice to engage in psychical research. He had organized a society of psychologists from all over the world, but he was about all there was to the society. He told how he could investigate a man's brain and thoughts, and then Otis C. Smith was called in for a practical test to see whether he had testified to the truth the previous evening.

   Mr. Smith came in as before on crutches and with leg bandaged. The X-Ray test was first shown on his injured foot and it was seen to be all right. The well foot was shown under the X-Ray machine and the two feet were exactly counterparts, shoes and all. Then the doctor said that whatever was uppermost in a man's mind would appear if the X-Rays were turned on his brain. So Mr. Smith sat down to the machine and his thoughts were thrown on the screen in the darkened house. First came the words "wallpaper," then there were figures of men playing baseball and of dancers, and of ballet girls, and of watches, and of pawnbroker's shops and finally there were wheels seen in motion in his head. The audience laughed till it was tired as these reflections of Otis' brain were shown. The doctor concluded that the man was off in his upper story.

   This closed the evidence and both sides expressed the desire for an hour each in which to sum up, but Judge Eggleston said they couldn't have any time at all, that the case must go to the jury with only his charge. The lawyers protested, but the judge was inexorable. He then charged the jury that in ordinary trivial cases such as murder, horse thieving, burglary, assault, etc., a man was presumed to be innocent till he was proven guilty, but in this case the defendants were to be considered guilty unless they could prove themselves innocent. The jury then retired under the guardianship of Constable A. F. Stilson.

   While the jury was out Mr. Fred I. Graham, with Miss Carrie D. Halbert as accompanist, gave a fine solo on the saxophone.

   The jury, through its foreman, Thomas C. Platt, reported a verdict of guilty with a recommendation for mercy, and that the ministers each be given six months' vacation and that their salary be doubled during the interval.

   Sentence was then imposed. The court said he was mindful of the recommendation for mercy and would sentence the ministers to assemble at the jail taking with them a certain sermon of one of the defendants and they were to listen to the delivery of that sermon from the lips of Sheriff Brainard. Having thus paid the penalty they could return to their homes.

   At the close of the sentence at 10:50 P. M. the crier adjourned the Stupendous Court sine die, and the famous trial was at an end.

 

   During the time that the jury was out Judge Eggleston said that the Women's Auxiliary had asked him to express their appreciation of the efforts of all who had taken part in making this so much of a success and also their appreciation of the patronage of the public, all of which he did most gracefully.

   It would be unfair to conclude the account of this trial which has involved so much work on the part of so many without a reference to the work of the social committee of the Women's Auxiliary, of which Mrs. N. H. Gillette is the chairman. The ladies have all worked hard, but Mrs. Gillette in particular has been indefatigable in her efforts to carry out each detail in the best possible way. She has worked early and late, and all of those associated with her realize it, so to them all and to Mrs. Gillette in particular the thanks of the friends of the Y. M. C. A. are due.

 

Cortland Opera House on Groton Avenue.

Orris Hose in Theatricals.

   "Uncle Tom's Cabin" will be presented by the best local amateur talent next Monday night in the Opera House under the auspices, and for the benefit of Orris Hose company. It has been seven years since this company has asked the public for patronage, and at this time the company promises to give the people the worth of the price of admission, and more too. Several amusing specialties are to be introduced during the course of the play by local talent. All the accessories for the complete production of the play will be provided. Seats are selling well at the Candy Kitchen [ticket office].

 

Wireless Telegraph Test.

   PARIS, April 6.—In view of the success of the experiments with the Marconi system of wireless telegraphy across the Strait of Dover the authorities propose to attempt to transmit messages to England from Paris. The terminal here will probably be the Eiffel tower, the distance to South Foreland being 230 miles.

 

Puddlers' Wages Advanced.

   BIRDSBORO, Pa., April 6.—The E. & G. Brooke Iron company will increase the wages of their puddlers 10 per cent commencing April 15. This firm advanced the wages of the employes [sic] of the nail factory mill on April 1.

 

Stewart Mansion at 5th Ave. and 34th St., New York City.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

   ◘ When the late A. T. Stewart was alive, he built a marble palace on the corner of Thirty-fourth street and Fifth avenue in New York city, which cost over $1,000,000. With the common desire of all millionaires late in life, he tried to eclipse anything of the kind in New York. Mr. Stewart called his pile a mansion, and it went by that name until it was sold; then it became a clubhouse. Now it is to be sold again and may become a savings bank. The story of the house is somewhat uncanny. The contractor who built it killed himself on the marble steps, and Mr. Stewart never enjoyed the place. He wandered up and down in its marble halls very much as the Bohemian girl did in her dreams. It was bleak and icily magnificent, and he often said that he would rather live in a thatched cottage. It would not be at all strange if this costly edifice, the marble foundations in whose cellars are said to be polished, should be pulled down and a department store erected on its site. It is only one of 50 magnificent and costly piles that have gone that way.

   ◘ Russia, says Henry Norman, is much more like the United States in many particulars than Americans are aware of. There is, for example, more similarity between society in New York and St. Petersburg than between St. Petersburg and Paris, and the business men of Russia have many points in common with Americans. The Russians have cast away many old fashioned prejudices which still reign supreme in Germany and France. They have less of the spirit of caste than the French, and they have never had a hereditary aristocracy, many of their statesmen and diplomats having risen from the lower ranks of life.

 

SIDE PATH COMMISSIONERS

Meet And Organize And Make Plans For This Year.

   All of the recently appointed side path commissioners for this county having qualified, a meeting for organization and work was held last night at the surrogate's office. As anticipated it has proved that Cortland county was the first county in the state to get its commissioners appointed, and the work was completed within twenty hours from the time that the bill creating them was signed and had become a law.

   On motion of C. H. Danes, seconded by T. J. Kennedy, Dr. E. M. Santee was elected chairman; and H. L. de Clercq was elected secretary of the commission.

   The commissioners then drew cuts to determine the length of their terms, it being provided under the law that one commissioner shall retire each year and that the full term shall be for five years. The result was as follows: One year, T. J. Kennedy; two years, E. W. Hyatt; three years, C. H. Danes; four years, E. M. Santee; five years, H. L. de Clercq.

   The license fee for the first year was fixed at 50 cents, as it was decided to sell the first ten numbers at auction at a premium at the store of Kennedy Brothers at 8 o'clock on Saturday evening April 15.

   The regular monthly meeting will be held the first Wednesday of each month.

   The Albany county emblem was viewed and approved, but decisive action regarding its adoption was delayed till next week at an adjourned meeting.

   H. L. de Clercq and C. H. Danes were appointed a committee on signs. The signs are to notify wheelmen that no rider can ride on the side paths unless he possesses a license. The signs are to be 6 feet long, 1 foot wide and to be elevated on two posts planted on each side of the path so the sign shall be directly over it.

   It is probable that the signs will be placed one at each end of the Little York and the South Cortland paths: one at the intersection of the South Cortland and McLean roads; one at the bridge at the middle point on the Little York path; and one at the railroad crossing between Cortland and Homer.

   Applications were received for the building of side paths from Cortland to McGraw and to Marathon. It was decided to build no new paths till the present ones were put in good condition. It was also decided to appoint side path police and the appointments will probably be made at the next meeting.

 

A New Coal Firm.

   Mr. William Martin, who for a number of years was associated with D. E. Call in the coal business, has purchased a half interest with Village Trustee A. A. Sprague in the coal, hay and wood business located in what is known as Ireland's lumber yard, with an office on Railroad-ave. just north of Clinton-ave. [?] The firm's name will be Sprague & Martin. They will make a specialty of the Haddock Red Ash coal for which superior qualities are claimed. Both are men of recognized business ability and the firm will be a strong one.

 

Residence for Sale.

   Mr. D. E. Shepard offers for sale his handsome residence and grounds known as the Murray place situated on Clinton-st. in the village of Homer. Every thing first class, with modern improvements, extensive and well appointed grounds and large stable. One of the finest residences in central New York. Will sell for cash or exchange for Cortland property. Reason for selling, Mr. Shepard desires to be nearer his store in Cortland.

 

W. C. T. U.

Notes upon the Meeting this Week—Sabbath Observance Discussed.

   The regular meeting of the Woman's Christian Temperance union was held at the rooms of the society on Tuesday afternoon. The first fifteen minutes were spent in devotional exercises conducted by Mrs. Hill, who read one of Miss Willard's helpful and inspiring addressees having for the leading thought the text, "The Master is come and calleth for thee."

   The business of the regular meeting was then taken up, and, after the reports of secretary and treasurer, a letter was read from Mr. Sands in reply to one sent from the union, promising favorable action in the matter of the Ainsworth bill concerning scientific temperance instruction in our public schools.

   It was moved and carried that the necessary funds be taken from our treasury towards the completion of a quilt to go from our union to the Frances Willard room in the anchorage at Elmira.

   A communication was then read from Mrs. Bierce, saying that the Y. W. C. T. U. was making arrangements to give a reception to the teachers' institute at the Normal parlors April 10. An interesting program is being prepared. It is the purpose of the Y's to give a pleasant social evening to all teachers attending the institute.

   The subject for the afternoon, "Sabbath Observance," was then studied and discussed. A leaflet entitled, "Sabbath Sunshine," by Nathaniel Hawthorne was read by Mrs. Weiler, and another, "The Sabbath Day, Anti-Mosaic," read by Mrs. Waterbury. Particular attention was called to the matter of Sabbath desecration by means of travel, the transmission of mails, and the Sunday newspaper, depriving as they do thousands of workers of their much needed one day in seven for rest, to say nothing of their religious privileges. It was suggested that if our postoffices could be closed, and mail trains stopped, it would do more to promote reverence for the Sabbath than any other means. In England and Canada postoffices are almost universally closed on the Sabbath. Why not in the United States?

   ARABELLE B. COLLINS, Supt. Press Work, Cortland, April 5, 1899.

 

MATHER-SALISBURY.

Charming Wedding Last Night at the Home of Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Sprague.

   An event of unusual interest occurred at exactly 8 o'clock last evening at the pleasant home of Village Trustee and  Mrs. Adelbert A. Sprague, 144 Port Watson-st. The event was a very pretty and happy wedding, the bride being Miss Lizzie Vashti Salisbury, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Salisbury, who are removing to Syracuse. The groom was Mr. N. Fillmore Mather, a popular young man of Cortland.

   The guests were over 100 in number, and all were assembled at the appointed hour when the beautiful ceremony took place in the middle parlor which was very tastefully decorated with palms, potted plants and a profusion of cut flowers. The ceremony was performed by Rev. William H. Pound, pastor of the Congregational church. The wedding march from Mendelssohn was executed upon the piano by Miss Jennie Godfrey, while the wedding party entered the parlor, and the music continued softly during the ceremony. The ribbon girls were the little Misses Florence Sprague, Martha Howland, Leah Sprague and Catherine Warner, all dressed in white and wearing white slippers. The contracting parties were unattended.

   The bride was most becomingly attired in a gown of white organdie over white silk, and her beauty was the remark of all. The groom was dressed in the customary black. After congratulations of a very hearty character had been extended, the guests were seated at tables, where an elaborate wedding supper was served under the direction of Mrs. T. C. Van Valkenberg, assisted by the following young people: Mrs. Nellie Butterfield, Mrs. Maud Wood, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Brown, Miss Margaret Hayes, Mrs. Otto Warner, Misses Maud. Kelley, Mary Northrup, Jennie Godfrey, Maud Anthony, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Wood, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Swift and Mr. Ralph Finch. The ushers were Miss Belle LaDu, Miss Anthony, Miss Kelly and Messrs. D. F. Waters, Arthur Smith and E. J. Stillman.

   After the refreshments were served, Mrs. Mather appeared in her travelling suit of gray material, and it was the general supposition among the guests that they were to board the 11:25 train on the D., L. & W., so a detachment was sent to the station, another to the junction, and still another guarded all sides of the house. Plans were well laid to give the couple a grand farewell reception, but all plans failed, for Mr. and Mrs. Mather managed to secrete themselves in the house and remain in hiding until the departure of the guests. They took the 6 o'clock train this morning for Auburn, Clifton Springs and other places for a brief journey. They will live at 20 Reynolds-ave., and announce their at home days as Tuesdays and Thursdays after May 1.

   Many gifts were received. The bride has for some time been one of the clerks in the drygoods house of J. B. Kellogg. The groom is a wire weaver at the Wickwire wire mills, and is besides the popular secretary of Excelsior Hook & Ladder Co. Both have hosts of friends who will congratulate them and wish well for their future happiness.

 

BREVITIES.

   —One tramp was discharged from custody by Police Justice Davis this morning.

   —The residence of Mr. J. H. Wallace has been connected with the telephone exchange.

   —In Justice H. J. Harrington's court yesterday the case of O. L. Crofoot against F. Burke was settled and discontinued.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—Shepard, Carpets, page 4; Peck, Handy grocery, page 5; Burgess, Spring announcement, page 8.

   —Charles Moshier of Cortland has succeeded C. G. W. Stoddard as proprietor of the Algonquin hotel, Oneida, having leased it for a term of years.

   —The funeral of Mrs. Robert S. Robertson will be held at 4 o'clock to-morrow afternoon at the residence of her sister, Mrs. Edward Stilson, 31 Owego-st.

   —Fire Chief Barber has sold the old hook and ladder truck owned by the village to the fire department of Forest City, Pa. It was shipped to-day.

   —A boxing contest between two women occurred in a concert hall in Syracuse one evening early this week and was largely attended. The Syracuse papers condemn the affair in no doubtful terms.

   —The Woman's Foreign Missionary society of the First Baptist church will meet at the home of Mrs. C. C. Darby on Greenbush-st., to-morrow at 2:30 P. M. The subject of the literary program will be "Japan."

   —The body of the late Judge A. D. Kennedy of Morrisville was cremated at Waterville Tuesday, in accordance with the provisions of his will. The ashes will be buried in his brother's lot in the cemetery at Oneida.

   —The annual meeting of the Presbyterian church and society will be held in the chapel this evening at 7:30 o'clock. Reports of all organizations in the church are to be given and two trustees are to be elected.

   —Mrs. Pound of Cortland will give an address on "Organized Pity and Its Modern Exponent" before the Ladies Missionary society of the Congregational church on Friday evening of this week. All persons interested are invited to attend.—Ithaca News.

   —Mrs. L. Barton Spiece of Ardmore, Pa., has sent out invitations for the wedding of her daughter, Miss Millicent, and Mr. Richard Wize Belfield, which will occur at St. Mary's church at Ardmore at 12:30 o'clock on Wednesday, April 19. Mrs. Spiece and Miss Spiece are well known in Cortland and Dryden and a number of friends in both places have received invitations.